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To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.

Nicolaus Copernicus

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Nicolaus Copernicus
Age: 70 †
Born: 1473
Born: February 19
Died: 1543
Died: May 24
Astronomer
Diplomat
Economist
Jurist
Legal Scholar
Mathematician
Philosopher
Physician
Physicist
Translator
Thorn
MikoĊ‚aj Kopernik
Nikolaus Kopernikus
Copernicus
Niklas Koppernigk
Education
Knowledge
True
Paradox
Intelligence
Creativity

More quotes by Nicolaus Copernicus

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We are taught all this [the motion of the earth on its axis and around the sun] by the order of succession, in which those phenomena (various planetary happenings) follow each other, and by the harmony of the world, if we will only, as the saying goes, look at the matter with both eyes.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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Finally we shall place the Sun himself at the center of the Universe. All this is suggested by the system of procession of events and the harmony of the whole Universe, if only we face the facts, as they say, with eyes wide open.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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For I am not so enamoured of my own opinions that I disregard what others may think of them.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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I shall now recall to mind that the motion of the heavenly bodies is circular, since the motion appropriate to a sphere is rotation in a circle.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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Finally we shall place the Sun himself at the center of the Universe.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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We regard it as a certainty that the earth, enclosed between poles, is bounded by a spherical surface.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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Nations are not ruined by one act of violence, but gradually and in an almost imperceptible manner by the depreciation of their circulating currency, through its excessive quantity.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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I can easily conceive, most Holy Father, that as soon as some people learn that in this book which I have written concerning the revolutions of the heavenly bodies, I ascribe certain motions to the Earth, they will cry out at once that I and my theory should be rejected.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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Therefore, having obtained the opportunity from these sources, I too began to consider the mobility of the earth.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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If there be some who, though ignorant of all mathematics . . . dare to reprove this work, because of some passage of Scripture, which they have miserably warped to their purpose, I regard them not, and even despise their rash judgement.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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If there should chance to be any mathematicians who, ignorant in mathematics yet pretending to skill in that science, should dare, upon the authority of some passage of Scripture wrested to their purpose, to condemn and censure my hypothesis, I value them not, and scorn their inconsiderate judgement. De Revolutionibus Coelestibus
Nicolaus Copernicus
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Those things which I am saying now may be obscure, yet they will be made clearer in their proper place.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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The earth together with its surrounding waters must in fact have such a shape as its shadow reveals, for it eclipses the moon with the arc of a perfect circle.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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The strongest affection and utmost zeal should, I think, promote the studies concerned with the most beautiful objects, most deserving to be known.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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The Universe, wrought for us by a supremely good and orderly Creator.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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Astronomy is written for astronomers
Nicolaus Copernicus
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Mathematics is written for mathematicians.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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In first place we must observe that the universe is spherical. This is either because that figure is the most perfect, as not being articulated, but whole and complete in itself or because it is the most capacious and therefore best suited for that which is to contain and preserve all things.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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First of all, we must note that the universe is spherical.
Nicolaus Copernicus
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For when a ship is floating calmly along, the sailors see its motion mirrored in everything outside, while on the other hand they suppose that they are stationary, together with everything on board. In the same way, the motion of the earth can unquestionably produce the impression that the entire universe is rotating.
Nicolaus Copernicus